Project 48 - Helping unwed mothers

Project 48 - Helping unwed mothers

In 2003, the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) founded a new parish in Rwanda, Saint Pierre parish, located in Cyahafi close to Kigali, the capital. The project suggested may bring back to you memories of a sad past which was lived by many women in Canada. But unfortunately, that situation still exists in Rwanda. A Missionary of Africa tries to help those unmarried mothers. But he needs your assistance to help him reduce the injustices towards these moms.

MY LIFE IN PARISH

I am Father Edison Akatuhurira, Missionary of Africa from Ugandan origin. I am in charge of Saint Pierre parish in the Archdiocese of Kigali in Rwanda. Our parish, founded in 2003 desserved about 43.000 people. I am also in charge of the parochial Caritas. This responsibility help me to get in touch with the realities of life of my parishioners :pastoral of families, orphans, widows, the poor, unmarried mothers, children of the street. This apostolate requires energy, lots of listening, perseverance and even interventions. Currently I am centered specially to help the unmarried mothers.

UNMARRIED MOTHERSUsually the unmarried women are about 27 years old or less (the youngest has 15) Let me tell you the story of Gisele, Gentille and Affissa.

Born in 1996, GISELE gave up her studies in 4th secondary. Her mother was unable to pay for the school expenses, and GISELE went to work in a small restaurant where she became pregnant from one of the customers. She was rejected by this one and even by her family. She hopes to be able to care for herself and her child with a decent work.

GENTILLE was born in 1995. At the end of her secondary school, she became pregnant from a teacher. When he learned the news, he `disappeared` and cut all relations with her. GENTILLE was also rejected by her family. She would like to start a little business and be able to care of her child.

AFFISSA was born in 1993. She had to give up studies at the primary school. She was educated by her grandparents who were unable the help her with the school expenses. The man who put her pregnant denied his responsibility. She was also rejected by her family. For now, AFFISSA lives alone and washes clothes from house to house to get some money to nourish her child. She would like to start a small business.

OUR PROJECT

We have a group of 22 unmarried mothers marginalized and rejected by their families. We would like to have a team of trainers to finish their education an teach them how to handle some business like couture, hairstyle, work adapted to the Rwandese culture, or support them in other initiatives.

HUMANITARIAN OBJECTIVESOur project is to give them back the respect and dignity they need; help them to recover their just place in our society; and maybe help them to reintegrate their respective family. And all those objectives are part of our mission, as Missionaries of Africa, working for more Justice and Peace.

We know that you refuse injustices lived by women. Our parish wants to help them and give them again a better life.